Kristina Thayer is director of the Chemical & Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. CPAD occupies an essential position in EPA’s Office of Research and Development between researchers generating scientific data and EPA’s program and regional offices that make decisions regarding the protection of public health and the environment. CPAD scientists develop a range of fit-for-purpose human health risk assessment products based on the evaluation, synthesis, and analysis of the most up-to-date scientific information. Products include the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and Provisionally Peer Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV) assessments. These products are developed through interactions with EPA’s program and regional offices, other agencies, the scientific community, industry, policymakers, and the public. Once finalized, they serve as a major scientific component supporting EPA's regulations, advisories, policies, enforcement, and remedial action decisions. CPAD also conducts cutting-edge research to develop innovative human health risk assessment methods (e.g., systematic review) that facilitate careful evaluation of scientific evidence, as well as tools and models (e.g., benchmark dose modeling software).